Leeches Ease Knee Pain

Leeches Ease Knee Pain

Although leeches are no longer the
norm for treatment,a report published in the Annals
of Internal Medicine(November 4, 2003) showed evidence
that leechesmay reduce pain and stiffness in
patients with arthritis ofthe knee. German researchers
maintained that leechsaliva contains anti-inflammatory
substances and otherchemicals, which could relieve
arthritis symptoms. Duringthe study, the researchers compared
a single treatmentwith 4 to 6 leeches with that of a
28-day regimen oftopical diclofenac.

Leeches were put on painful joints
of the affected kneeof 24 patients and left on for ~70
minutes, until the leechesdetached themselves. After 7 days,
patients in theleech group reported significantly
less pain, comparedwith those in the diclofenac group.
Additionally, benefitsin function, stiffness, and overall
arthritis symptoms weremaintained through 91 days of
follow-up, the report said.